Use a few handy tips to stay warm this winter

ALBANY — Layer up, southwest Georgia, because winter is coming. We may not often see snow, but we do get our fair share of frost, fog and chilly winds. Winter begins officially on Friday, but we’ve already seen temperatures drop throughout the last couple of weeks.

Make the most of the season by starting with a layer of clothing close to the skin for insulation such as thermal underwear, leggings, runner’s tights, hosiery, stockings and long socks.

Add long-sleeved shirts and sweaters under a puffy jacket or thick coat, and cast away all worries about becoming a Michelin Man. Remember, layer like an onion, not a cake. Dark-colored clothing absorbs heat and sunlight, which you’ll want your clothing to soak up like a sponge. If it takes four shirts, a coat, thermal underwear, leggings, jeans and two pairs of socks to fell comfortable and happy outdoors, then so be it. Plus, if it’s all black, at least you’ll match.

Protect the exposed parts of your body with hats, beanies and berets to prevent body heat from escaping out of the head, and gloves to add to quality of life especially when the weather is as damp as it is known to be in southwest Georgia. Your body focuses on keeping your organs warm, so don’t forget about the extremities like fingers, toes and ears.

If your feet are prone to sweating, keep an extra pair of socks in your bag, the glove compartment of your car or in your work desk drawer because cold feet are only acceptable as pre-wedding jitters.

Staying warm doesn’t have to be for outdoors only. Rather than cranking up the heat or bundling up miserably under a blanket, consider layering your comfiest house clothes. This could include thermal underwear under winter pajamas, fuzzy socks, a cold-weather housecoat or a heavy sweatshirt. Your winter hat is just as cozy indoors as it is outside.

Sleep with extra blankets, and offer clean blankets to guests when they come over, even if you’re just sitting around the living room having a cup of coffee.

Using the oven for baking can increase the temperature in the house, and hot food and drinks such as cocoa, coffee, tea, soups and stews can warm you from the inside out. For soups, you can go all out, but a couple of cans in a crock pot could do the trick as well.

Another way to make the cold weather months more comfortable is to fatten up. Take advantage of all the glorious holiday dishes and desserts to begin your defense from the cold from the inside. It’s also a good excuse to keep the oven going.

Exercise increases blood flow and body temperature. House cleaning is an effective way to get the blood pumping without having to step outdoors. Another indoor tip is to reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to push warm air back down.

Inviting friends and family over is a good way to spend the holidays while taking advantage of your loved ones’ body heat. Besides, if we’re going to be spending a day baking, someone is going to have to eat all of those cookies.

It’s not just us that will get cold this winter. Keep an eye out for your best friend when temperatures drop. No, not the person you watch football with or who waters your plants when you’re out of town, your four-legged pal is susceptible to the cold. When the whole family is warm, everyone is happy.

Gypsy Crow